Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 released

After waiting for so long (close to 2 years), Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 code named Debian Etch has been taken out of development cycle and is given the stable tag.

Some of the new features in Debian 4.0 are as follows :

A fully integrated installation process with out of the box support for encrypted partitions.

Graphical installer for those with enough memory for their PC

Use of secure apt to enhance security while installing software.

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 now runs on even AMD64 and Intel EM64T (amd64) apart from 9 other architectures.

Now can be installed from various installation media such as DVDs, CDs, USB sticks and floppies, or from the network.

Support for multi-architecture installation disks.

Those who are using an earlier version of Debian need just do an

# apt-get update

and an

# apt-get dist-upgrade

… to move their Debian distribution to the latest version.

Another important news especially for people administering Debian servers is that the Debian team has also updated the official Debian 3.1 version to include some much needed security fixes. The official Debian website has the full press release regarding Debian 4.0.